Did you catch these?

Year: 2014

Some days, around children’s teen years, parenting feels like a string of first-class flubs, second-guessed decisions, three-strike outs, and four-season battles. But other days bring surprises; reminders from God to stay the course. In my “KEEP” file sits one of those surprises: a folded white card containing a half-page of …

What? Another Thanksgiving? Like a carousel, they keep coming around, these special holy days. But they come faster, not slower. I haven’t had time to make pumpkin pickles for years. Or preserve autumn leaves by pressing them and coating them with glue, for use as table decorations. Could it really …

Inez the Mexican, God-lover and Jesus-follower, stands before me. Red plaid shirt, graying hair, beard. A burly man, with gentle mannerisms and eyes like dark pools. We have not met before, but those eyes tell me something: this man has a story. I want to hear it. Even more, I …

Strolling through a crowded craft fair, I encountered a mountain of a dog; tawny, brawny and very tall. A woman with an obvious disability walked alongside, gripping its harness. Both looked resolutely forward, ignoring the curious stares around them. “That’s a magnificent working dog,” I remarked to the man following …

My husband, joined by another minister, hosts a half-hour Christian radio program called “God Talk with the Preacher.” The pastors discuss faith and other matters that concern the local Christian community. After overhearing us discussing a recent program, one of our grandbeans asked, “Nana, about that radio show. Who plays the …

In my quiet moments, when I count my many blessings, when I name them one by one, and can’t reach list’s end, it comes to me: I don’t deserve this. In the last few weeks, I had two conversations that remind me I’m not alone in that feeling of unworthiness. …

The door exploded inwards, and two grandbeans busted into the house. All excited. “Nana, we SAVED a dragonfly today!” “Wow! Bravo! Amazing!” Grins. High fives. “So is he going to heaven now?” A bit of eye-rolling ensued. “Nana. You know that dragonflies can’t go to heaven. Jesus didn’t die for …

My radio-producer friend, Ray, emailed this week. I always like hearing from Ray. He produces three syndicated gospel music shows. Pours them like honey into many countries worldwide, keeping people faith-filled, positive and positively tapping their toes. Ray’s done a few things in his life. For years, he also owned …

I had much to learn as a bride at nineteen. But the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him ,” and the Lord God knows I tried to be that helper to my man. My …

10:21 p.m. I sit in the very yellow space that serves as my office. My book collection lines one wall. The books I hope to read, the books someone recommended I read, the ones I bought for their artwork or bindings, those that hulk there for a rare reference, the …